Getting a new GPU directly from your laptop’s or device’s manufacturer may be more challenging than you think, which explains why people go for alternatives such as Zotac. It is the most common brand for people seeking to change or upgrade their GPUs. However, since you will be spending a significant amount of money, it is only right to ask all the hard questions, such as whether Zotac is a good brand. Can we rely on their GPUs? How do Zotac GPUs perform in comparison to those of other manufacturers? Fortunately, we will help you answer all these questions as our article dives into this brand to furnish you with all the information you need before making your purchase decision.
However, before we delve into that, let’s give you a brief history of Zotac. Zotac came into existence in 2006, when it was established as a computer hardware manufacturer under a PC partner. It deals in a range of devices, including motherboards, graphics cards, and gaming computers. If you are wondering why it is only known for its GPUs, they are the ones that enjoy a huge international market. This company is headquartered in Hong Kong, even though it has other headquarters in Germany, Japan, the United States, and South Korea. Let’s now dive into our main topic of discussion.
Is Zotac A Good Brand?
This is the elephant in the room. Note that Zotac is interested in making cheaper graphics cards, offering an alternative to the highly-priced ones made by manufacturers such as Asus and MSI. This is its main competitive advantage, which we will expound on much later.
The answer to the question above is yes, Zotac is a good brand. It couldn’t have managed to remain competitive if it wasn’t. Also, their GPUs enjoy great ratings and reviews, which is testament enough that they get the work done. However, this doesn’t mean there aren’t any bad reviews because, like with any other product, other people’s experiences may not be as good.
It’s also worth noting that this brand’s GPUs have similar specs to those made by other established brands, such as Asus and Gigabyte. Their GPUs are also less costly, which is a relief to several laptop users who may not have the money to get premium ones.
What Gpu Products Does Zotac Manufacturer?
A closer look at Zotac’s offerings reveals that it produces the same graphic card SKUs that popular brands such as Gigabyte, MSI, and Asus produce. You can choose from high to low-end products based on your budget range and what you need. This brand also markets its products well, which is quite commendable.
It has three most popular graphic card series, which has given this brand a place in the market, i.e., GeForce RTX 30 Series, GeForce RTX 20 Series, and GeForce GTX 16 Series. Under the first one, you get the GeForce RTX 3090, 3080 Ti, 3050, 3070, 3060 Ti, 3070 Ti, and 3080. In the RTX 20 Series, this brand offers RTX 2060, 2060 SUPER, 2070, 2080, 2070 SUPER, and 2080 SUPER.
Under the 16 series, users get GTX 1660 Ti, 1650, 1650 SUPER, 1660, and 1660 SUPER. It’s also worth noting that even though the GTX 10 and GT series are not as popular, they are still manufactured by Zotac.
Is It Worth Getting A Zotac GPU?
Answering this question will help expound on our main topic of discussion. Should one get a Zotac GPU? Yes. Here are the reasons:
1. Performance
Zotac GPUs have a similar performance to those of other brands. Differences are normally marginal and do not exceed 5%. This difference is brought about by the originality every GPU brand showcases in cooling and overclocking their products.
2. Price
Zotac’s GPUs are price-friendly, which should be an incentive to get one. This is because this brand uses relatively cheaper materials to make its products, bringing down the final product price.
However, even as you prepare to get a Zotac GPU, you ought to have the following in mind:
3. Less durability
Note that Zotac uses cheaper materials to make the different parts of its GPU. When such materials are used on important parts such as the radiator, it hampers cooling solutions, reducing the lifespan of these devices, even though it may not look so from the outside eye.
4. High Temperatures
Several people using Zotac GPUs complain that it has higher temperatures than others, which can be quite inconvenient. However, note that this temperature does not usually reach extremely dangerous levels, which means you are safe. Also, there is a way out of this- get more fans to better airflow or get a new PC case capable of lowering your Zotac GPU’s temperatures.
5. Issues With RGB
Gamers understand just how important RGB is and can’t, therefore, afford to have buggy lights. This mostly happens due to an issue with the RGB lights on the GPU. Even though this issue can be resolved, you will need new firmware updates.
6. Build Quality
Several users have reported that this product has poor build quality, which is a major issue of concern, especially if you want something durable. Others even label them poorly manufactured, which should be an issue of concern. This may be caused by the cheaper parts this company uses to build its products (according to buyers).
However, note that the cheapness of these parts does not affect the performance of these devices unless they are overloaded or pushed to the extreme. If you install your Zotac GPU in a poorly ventilated case, performance issues may also occur. Watch out if you live in an issue with high temperatures since you may need to go the extra mile.
7. Extremely Loud Fans
Buyers and users alike also complain about this device’s loud fans, which can be highly distracting, especially if you need to focus. This mostly happens when it is subjected to a heavy load. However, like most of the issues under this section, you can easily resolve them by upgrading the case or reducing its intake temperature by installing additional intake and exhaust fans. Note that decreasing the pressure inside the case and adding additional case fans can help solve this issue.
What Do People Feel About This Brand?
It is important to determine what people think about a certain brand before making a purchase decision. Luckily, most people rate its GPUs above 4 stars, which is commendable. It’s evident from different sites that buyers of Zotac GPUs are normally satisfied with their purchase. However, it is also important to note the few one-star ratings from people complaining about the cooling and build quality of this brand’s GPUs. Other brands also receive bad reviews from time to time; therefore, it may be too early to completely write off Zotac, which sells its products for considerably lower prices.
Conclusion
Zotac’s GPU performance is commendable, given that there are no major differences from those produced by major brands such as EVGA. It is also important to note that no company produces the perfect GPUs, and even those that cost an arm and a leg have their fair share of problems.
If you need a cost-friendly option and don’t mind the marginal performance difference, go for a Zotac GPU.
FAQS
1. What Makes Zotac Cpus Less Expensive?
You are wondering why this brand’s GPUs are cheaper than those from other established brands. Zotac does not enjoy the brand recognition that other brands, such as MSI and EVGA, have, meaning that lowering its prices gives it a competitive advantage. This company also joined the market recently and may not have what it takes to price its products highly, at least not yet.
It’s also important to note that most people speculate that the lower price range is because the brand uses cheaper materials to make different parts of its GPUs, which may be a valid reason.
2. Does Zotac Offer Warranties On Their Devices?
One of the reasons why Zotac is a lot of people’s favorite is because even at its products’ price range, users still enjoy a standard 2 years warranty (This is only available for customers in the US or Canada). It also has an extended warranty option (1 year) for people who register their GPU on the official brand’s website within 30 days of purchase. This means you get to enjoy 3 years, which is a big pro because this brand prices its products fairly.
Additionally, the Zotac GeForce RTX 30 Series GPU attracts a 5-year warranty (covered by Zotac EMEAI) for customers in the Middle East, Europe, India, and Africa.
3. Which Software Does Zotac GPU Use?
Zotac GPU uses Firestorm, a GPU companion software owned by the brand. This allows you to access different features, such as your fan speeds, clock speed, memory speed, and GPU temperatures. You also have the liberty to adjust the settings to meet your preferences, which means changing your device’s monitoring functions or RGB lights.
